Closing the gap between Climate Adaptation and Climate Mitigation

In the face of climate change, water utilities find themselves at the intersection of two vital strategies: mitigation and adaptation. For water utility professionals, the need to incorporate these strategies into daily operations is not only critical but urgent. Mitigation aims to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, while adaptation focuses on adjusting systems to withstand the changes already set in motion by the shifting climate. For water utilities, the integration of these strategies is essential to ensuring a resilient and sustainable future. In many cases mitigation and adaptation are separated in topic and collective discussion across disciplines and sectors linked to water is lacking.

The integration of climate mitigation into adaptation strategies by water utilities was discussed at a workshop during the 2024 IWA World Water Congress in Toronto. The outcomes of this workshop are summarised in this article. The following short article summarizes the context and problem statement, drawing on insights from the panelists’ introductory remarks, which highlight the challenges and opportunities in integrating climate mitigation into water utility adaptation strategies. The discussion sets the stage for understanding the complexities involved. The article conclusions are set from the roundtable discussions with the workshop audience, synthesising key takeaways and proposed strategies. It closes with a call to action, urging water utilities to proactively address the dual challenges of climate adaptation and mitigation.

Workshop outcome report – 2024 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition

Workshop host: Alexis de Kerchove, Senior Director for Client Sustainability at Xylem

Workshop co-host: Amanda Lake, Head of Carbon and Circular Economy at Jacobs, Water Europe

Convened panelists:

• Susan Lee, General Manager of Scientific Services at Scottish Water
• Joe Green, Manager of Infrastructure Analytics at Durham Region, Canada
• David Ponder, Director of Climate Action at the US Water Alliance
• Jessica Akande, Senior Program Advisor at the Canadian Water Network
• Michele Samuels, Client Solutions Manager at Xylem

Moderator: Krithika Iyer Shivakumar, IWA Young Professional and Sustainability and External Affairs Manager at Grundfos